Advances of Zinc in Health Research

Abstract

The main focus of this chapter is to provide an overview of the significance of zinc in human health research. The following issues are discussed: (1) the history of our understanding of human zinc deficiency; (2) the biochemistry and biology of zinc with an emphasis on the relevance of zinc in human nutrition and the importance of human zinc deficiency; (3) the clinical spectrum of zinc deficiency; (4) the lack of biomarkers for milder zinc deficiency states to ascertain their prevalence and clinical outcomes, including growth retardation, diarrhoea, pneumonia, other infections and abnormalities in neuropsychological performance; (5) human zinc requirements with special focus on estimation of average dietary zinc requirements and zinc toxicity; (6) the causes of zinc deficiency, particularly in the developing world; and (7) potential strategies for the prevention and management of human zinc deficiency. The chapter concludes with an emphasis on the immediate need for expanded research on human zinc metabolism and homeostasis at a molecular, cellular, organ and whole body level.